Police Headquarters has issued a nationwide highest alert over possible sabotage targeting vehicles used by police, including jeeps, pickups and buses. The directive, sent in an emergency message by the headquarters’ Operations Control on Saturday, ordered all field-level units to immediately strengthen security arrangements. The warning was based on intelligence information that members of extremist groups or criminals could attack police vehicles.

The message said there can be no laxity or negligence in ensuring the security of police vehicles. It directed personnel to exercise maximum caution both while vehicles are on duty and after they are parked. If a vehicle on duty must stop temporarily, it must be parked in a secure location and kept under constant observation by police members.

No police vehicle may be left without its driver or responsible personnel, with a strict ban imposed on leaving vehicles unattended. Security must also be increased for government vehicles kept after duty at police stations, police lines, office compounds and other designated locations. Headquarters emphasized regular patrols, necessary surveillance and special vigilance to identify suspicious people or objects, calling on officials in all metropolitan areas, ranges, districts and units to implement the instructions strictly.